Asclepius vs Caduceus
Searching Google Images for “medical symbol” returns many versions of the symbol of Caduceus which features a short rod entwined by two snakes and a pair of wings on top.
In mass media we see this symbol all the time. For example, Star Trek’s Voyager used this symbol on the doors of sick bay.
The Rod of Asclepius, however, is the actual symbol of medicine. According to greek mythology, Asclepius was the demigod of medicine and healing. Caduceus is considered the symbol of commerce.
There is precedence for the use of Caduceus to symbolize medicine dating back to the ’70s. But the misrepresentation of this symbol in modern clip art collections has created an almost universal “misuse” of it. The visual impact of the symbol over the Rod of Asclapius certainly has something to do with this too. It looks more cool.
One can make an argument for Caducues in cases where commerce and medicine meet, as in the pharmaceutical industry. But clearly this is a case where “cool” has won out over relevance. If you need to use the symbol of medicine in your design, consider the historical meaning of these two symbols first. And the next time and ambulance passes you, look as what they use on the side of their vehicle. They got it right! (at least where I live they did)
